Memorial Day at Sabino Canyon

This morning we went exploring and hiking at Sabino Canyon. The last time we were here was when David was still in a stroller (about 10 years ago). We took the trolley up the canyon and then rode it back down until we hit Stop 2 (1.4 miles from the visitors center). We then hiked the rest of the way out ... exploring along the way.

The river bed is usually dry this time of year, but due to an unseasonal bit of rain last week, the water was running deep enough in some areas where people could swim. The rock formations are also impressive ... you would never know that this little oasis is hidden within these desert mountains.

Everyone enjoyed the trolley ride up the canyon. This is at Stop 9, the last stop before it turns around and heads back down the canyon.

We got off the trolley at Stop 2 and the exploring began.

The kids are always fascinated with lizards. We didn't see many of those in Bakersfield ... and they are everywhere here in Tucson.

Joshie surprised us a little ... we thought that he would be the one to run around so much that we'd have to keep a good pace to keep up with him. He actually wanted a ride most of the way back AND only with his mom. Amy did great carrying him for 1.2 of the 1.4 miles back.

Elyssa rode on my shoulders 2/3 of the way and walked the other 1/3. There was one point where we were walking up this hill and she said "Daddy, run." I tried ... for about 100 yards and then was done running any more.

We took a short break in the shade once we got back to the visitors center before calling it a day.

David - 5th Grade Graduation

Friday morning David graduated from Desert Willow Elementary. He had a stellar semester even though he started half way through the school year when we moved from California. Some of his accomplishments from the 5th grade were that he continued his straight "A" trend ... AND ... he performed VERY well on the tests for the gifted program in the 6th grade.

All the kids who received their certificates of promotion to the 6th grade hugged their teachers and then the principal. David was the only boy who stuck out his hand to shake his teacher's hand rather than hug him. He definitely doesn't have an issue blazing his own path. I can't wait to see what he does in college and after. It should be interesting and exciting.

Another cool thing to celebrate David's day was that Grandma and Grandpa Doll, Aunt Jenn, and Grandpa Mark & Grandma Mindy could be there.

We are so proud of David. He works VERY hard and always wants to perform at the top of the class. Good luck in 6th grade ... we know you will excel!!!

Grandpa Mark & Grandma Mindy Come To Visit

Grandpa Mark and Grandma Mindy came to visit this past week. The kids had a lot of fun with them ... especially Elyssa and Joshua. The first night they were here we had an "American Idol" party. Kella and Lyssie had fun dancing with Grandpa ... he can really "cut the rug."

One of the days they were here while David and Kella were in school, we went to the Children's Museum with the twins. As you can see from the pictures below ,,, it was right up the twins' alley.

Lyssie and Grandma Mindy had lots of fun together on the climbing wall, drawing, playing on the motorcycle and then sliding down the fireman's pole.

Likewise, Joshua was all boy driving Grandpa and Lyssie in the fire engine.

Grandpa brought his laptop with tons of family pictures. The kids thought it was great to see pictures of mom when she was little ... especially the one with the blue "Bruce Jenner" shorts, with the matching socks, shirt and feathered hair (GO 1970's).

We're so glad that Grandpa Mark and Grandma Mindy came to visit. We look forward to seeing them again in October.

My Wonderful Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day. It actually started the day two days before on Friday when I got flowers delivered. I was surprised to find out that the names on the card were Machella and Elyssa. I thought that was so sweet that I got flowers from my two favorite girls.

Saturday we all went out to eat for a lunch. The food was great and Joshua and Elyssa actually were pretty well behaved. Sunday morning I woke up to many more surprises. I received some very pretty yellow flowers and a beautiful corsage that I wore to church. I also got lots of chocolate, a shirt and a gift card to get a massage. On the wall in our eating area were four posters that Donnie and the kids had decorated and put pictures of themselves on.

Sunday evening we had Donnie's family come over for dinner and it was lots of fun.
It was a great Mother's Day and I am so grateful for my great husband and wonderful children for making my day so special.

Happy Mother's Day Amy

You're the best!!! We hope you had the best Mother's Day ever!!!

A Lazy Day in the Pool

It's May and the temperatures are already soaring to triple digits. I know that there is a reason we love the desert over the snow we experienced in Iowa and Utah. I'll take 100+ degree temperatures over 20 below any day. We DO miss the California coast and the ocean ... so one of the requests of the kids was to get a house with a pool when we moved here to Arizona. Yesterday we spent a few hours just lounging around in the pool ... what a GREAT way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The twins like getting in the pool ... they like the little wading area by the stairs. They're still reluctant to go out into the middle of the pool with anyone even with a life vest or floaties. They love splashing around and throwing things for the older kids to dive after.

Joshua's favorite place is on the pool chairs OUTSIDE the pool. Go figure?!

Desert Willow Fair

Today was the school fair at the kids' elementary school sponsored by the PTA. They had some really cool activities that all the kids could participate in.

David and Kella tackled the climbing wall. As you can see they are true "spider" kids.

The twins liked the fishing pond. They won little prizes. Joshua's favorite prize was a little purple plastic ruler that he's carried around all evening. Lyssie just went for the candy ... go figure.

Another big hit was the inflatable slide and obstacle courses. The twins wanted to go on them over and over again. Thank goodness that the lines weren't that long and the guys watching the rides let the twins cut in front of the big kids. Joshua threw a fit when we tried to move on to other things.

We wrapped up the afternoon with popsicles and sticky hands ... and a few "vogue" poses.

Our Day at the Mesa Arizona Temple

Amy and I had a great opportunity to spend Saturday morning at the temple in Mesa. My sister Jenn came over and watched the kids (thanks a million Jenn). It's such a blessing having family close to watch the kids so that we can go to the temple together. It was nice to sit in the chapel and Celestial Room together. There is such a feeling of peace that makes the stresses of the outside world seem so insignificant when we're there. It is so easy to forget this if too much time lapses between visits. We look forward to going back soon ... not just by ourselves, but with other family here in town.

Bowling With The Boy Scouts

I bet you didn't know that we had a "semi-pro" bowler in the family. This past Thursday the Scouts went bowling as a fun activity to recognize all the hard work they've been doing on merit badges and rank advancements.

Look at David's laser focus and super intense concentration ... you can cut the tension in the air ...

He sets up for the spin off the wrist ...

Look at his follow-through as he "wills" the ball down the lane ...

AND ... all the pins are still standing. I guess he won't be going pro anytime soon. He still had fun.

The Twins Just Doing Their Thing

Elyssa and Joshua love hanging out in the backyard. One of their favorite things to do is walk on the brick border around the grass. When one of them is on there ... the other one is usually not far behind. Follow the leader??? It's hard to tell who is leading and who is following at times with those two. One thing is sure ... they both can instigate and get into things equally.

They love saying "cheese" and posing for the camera most of the time. They move so fast that it's often hard to get close ups like these even when we can get them to stand still for 1 second. Their personalities shine through more and more each day. They are tons of fun.